[Application of the Targon PH long nail in storey fractures and metaphyseal fractures of the proximal humerus].

Storey and proximal metadiaphyseal humeral fractures are serious injuries, affecting patients of all age cathegories, however, elderly patients are affected more often. Conservative treatment results in a long-term immobilisation of the extremity, restricts ventilation and reduces the comfort. Former implants did not meet requirements for a stable osteosynthesis and hampered early rehabilitation. The Targon PH long nail (Aesculap, Tuttlingen, SRN) combines advantages of intramedullary fixation within the whole length of the medullary cavity with the use of angle-stable screws in the proximal fixation storey, which extends chances for a reliable osteosynthesis also to the proximal fifth of the humerus. The procedure's prons include the miniinvasive character of the procedure and the possibility of adequate early rehabilitation. The authors assess a patient group of 23 subjects, including 14 females and 9 males, operated in the Traumacentrum of the Liberec Regional Hospital from January 2004 to December 2005. The final functional results assessment could be performed in 20 patients (87%), 13 females and 3 males, aged 65.3 years, on average. The minimal follow-up period lasted 12 months and the result was evaluated using the Constant-Murley score.